Combine Side-Shake Cleaning Control System

ABSTRACT

A combine side-shaking control system includes a sieve for separating crop material from other materials and a movable side-shaking mechanism coupled to the sieve and configured to move the sieve in a side-to-side motion. The control system also includes also includes first and second grain loss sensors configured to sense amounts of grain loss from separate portions of the sieve. The control system further includes a controller configured to: (i) receive a first grain loss value corresponding to the sensed first amount of grain loss and a second grain loss value corresponding to the sensed second amount of grain loss; and (ii) cause the side-shaking mechanism to control movement of the sieve in the side-to-side motion based on at least one of the received first grain loss value and the received second grain loss value.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/031,915, entitled “Combine Side-Shake Cleaning Control System” andfiled Sep. 19, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a control system for aside-shake cleaning mechanism for use with a harvester, such as acombine harvester, and more particularly to methods and systems tocontrol a side-shake cleaning mechanism in a combine harvester.

BACKGROUND

A combine harvester is a machine that is used to harvest grain crops.The objective is to complete several processes, which traditionally weredistinct, in one pass of the machine over a particular part of thefield. Among the crops that may be harvested with a combine are wheat,oats, rye, barley, corn, soybeans, flax or linseed, and others. Thewaste (e.g. straw) discharged on the field includes the remaining driedstems and leaves of the crop which may be, for example, chopped andspread on the field as residue or baled for feed and bedding forlivestock.

A combine harvester cuts crop using a wide cutting header. The cut cropmay be picked up and fed into the threshing and separating mechanism ofthe combine, typically consisting of a rotating threshing rotor orcylinder to which grooved steel bars commonly referred to as rasp barsor threshing elements may be bolted. These rasp bars thresh and aid inseparating the grains from the chaff and straw through the action of thedrum against the concaves, i.e., shaped “half drum,” that may also befitted with steel bars and a meshed grill, through which grain, chaffand smaller debris may fall, whereas the straw, being too big or long,is carried through to the outlet. The chaff, straw, and other undesiredmaterial are returned to the field via a spreader mechanism.

In an axial flow combine, this threshing and separating system serves aprimary separation function. The harvested crop is threshed andseparated as it is conveyed between a longitudinally arranged rotor andthe inner surface of an associated chamber comprising threshing andseparating concaves, and a rotor cage or cover. The cut crop materialspirals and is conveyed along a helical path along the inner surface ofthe chamber until substantially only larger residue remains. When theresidue reaches the end of the threshing drum, it is expelled out of therear of the combine. At the same time that MOG is being expelled fromthe combine, the grain, chaff, and other small debris fall through theconcaves and grates onto a cleaning device or shoe. For ease ofreference, this smaller particulate crop material that contains thegrain and chaff is referred to as threshed crop. The grain still needsto be further separated from the chaff by way of a winnowing process.

Clean grain is separated out of the threshed crop by way of a flatoscillating cleaning system that can include a combination ofoscillating screens (sieves), a fan which blows airthrough/above/beneath the sieves, and some mechanism which transportsthe crop material to be cleaned from beneath the threshing system to thesieves. Clean grain that is separated from the residue via the sieves istypically transported to a grain tank in the combine for temporarystorage. The grain tank is typically located atop the combine and loadedvia a conveyer that carries clean grain collected in the cleaning systemto the grain tank. The grain may then be unloaded through a conveyingsystem to a support trailer or vehicle, allowing large quantities ofgrain to be unloaded in the field without needing to stop harvestingwhen the grain tank fills. During operation, the crop material may beunevenly distributed in the cleaning system (e.g., on one or moresieves) caused by a change in inclination (e.g., harvesting on uneventerrain). Conventional combines may be equipped with uneven distributioncompensation mechanisms. During flat ground operation, the cleaningsystem of a combine moves in 2-dimensional motion, shaking fore/aft withsome vertical component. U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,882, which is incorporatedherein for its teachings on cleaning system compensation mechanisms,describes a grain cleaning side-shaking mechanism which providescompensation to the cleaning system when the combine experiences achange in inclination (i.e. harvesting on uneven terrain). Otherside-shaking mechanisms are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,753; U.S.Pat. No. 7,927,199; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,322,882, which are alsoincorporated herein for their teachings on cleaning system compensationmechanisms. Conventional side-shaking mechanisms, do not affect anychanges to the 2-dimensional (fore/aft/vertical) movement of thecleaning system on flat ground. On inclined ground, however, theside-shaking mechanisms introduce an additional side-to-side componentin the shake geometry of a sieve, causing material to resist its naturaltendency to migrate to the lower side of the sieve and remain moreevenly distributed across the width of the sieve, providing a moreefficient cleaning system.

Crop material may also be distributed unevenly in the cleaning systemduring flat ground operation. Accordingly, an improved system is neededto more evenly distribute the crop material across the width of thesieve during flat ground operation. Further to this, the controls ofconventional side-shake system operating levels are based on algorithmsrelating directly to the inclination of terrain. The controlling logicfor the side-shake compensation may not always result in evenlydistributed grain across the width of the cleaning system due to anumber of factors incremental to ground inclination.

SUMMARY

Embodiments are directed to a combine side-shaking control system foruse with a combine. The control system includes a sieve for separatingcrop material from other materials and a movable side-shaking mechanismcoupled to the sieve and configured to move the sieve in a side-to-sidemotion. The control system also includes also includes a first grainloss sensor configured to sense a first amount of grain loss from afirst portion of the sieve and a second grain loss sensor spaced fromthe first grain loss sensor and configured to sense a second amount ofgrain loss from a second portion of the sieve. The control systemfurther includes a controller configured to: (i) receive a first grainloss value corresponding to the sensed first amount of grain loss and asecond grain loss value corresponding to the sensed second amount ofgrain loss; and (ii) cause the side-shaking mechanism to controlmovement of the sieve in the side-to-side motion based on at least oneof the received first grain loss value and the received second grainloss value.

According to one embodiment, the sieve extends a width between a rightedge of the sieve and a left edge of the sieve and comprises a leftportion and a right portion, the first grain loss sensor is locatedproximate to the left edge of the sieve and configured to sense thefirst amount of grain loss from the left portion of the sieve, and thesecond grain loss sensor is located near the right edge of the sieve andconfigured to sense the second amount of grain loss from the rightportion of the sieve.

According to another embodiment, the control system further includes acomparator configured to compare the first grain loss value to thesecond grain loss value to obtain a grain loss difference value. Thecontroller is further configured to cause the side-shaking mechanism tocontrol movement of the sieve based on the grain loss difference value.

According to an aspect of an embodiment, the controller is furtherconfigured to determine whether the grain loss difference value is equalto or greater than a predetermined grain loss difference threshold andcause the side-shaking mechanism to: (i) increase the distance of thesieve in the side-to-side motion when the grain loss difference value isequal to or greater than the predetermined grain loss differencethreshold; and (ii) decrease the distance of the sieve in theside-to-side motion when the grain loss difference value is less thanthe predetermined grain loss difference threshold.

In one embodiment, the control system further includes a comparatorconfigured to compare: (i) the first grain loss value to a predeterminedgrain loss threshold value; and (ii) the second grain loss value to thepredetermined grain loss threshold value. The controller is furtherconfigured to cause the side-shaking mechanism to: (i) increase thedistance of the sieve in the side-to-side motion when the first grainloss value is equal to or greater than the predetermined grain lossthreshold value; or (ii) decrease the distance of the sieve in theside-to-side motion when the second grain loss value is less than thepredetermined grain loss threshold value.

In another embodiment, the controller is further configured toautomatically cause the side-shaking mechanism to control movement ofthe sieve in the side-to-side motion when the combine is onsubstantially flat ground.

In yet another embodiment, the controller is further configured to causethe side shaking mechanism to change the distance of the sieve in theside-to-side motion based on at least one of the received first grainloss value and the received second grain loss value.

Embodiments are directed to a combine side-shaking control system. Thecontrol system includes a sieve for separating crop material from othermaterials and a movable side-shaking mechanism coupled to the sieve andconfigured to move the sieve in a side-to-side motion. The controlsystem also includes a first grain loss sensor configured to sense afirst amount of grain loss from a first portion of the sieve and asecond grain loss sensor spaced from the first grain loss sensor andconfigured to sense a second amount of grain loss from a second portionof the sieve. The control system further includes a grain loss indicatorconfigured to indicate: (i) the first amount of grain loss from thefirst portion of the sieve; and (ii) the second amount of grain lossfrom the second portion of the sieve.

According to one embodiment, the control system further includes acontroller configured to cause the first amount of grain loss and thesecond amount of grain loss to be indicated by the grain loss indicator.

According to another embodiment, the grain loss indicator is a displayand the controller is further configured to cause the first amount ofgrain loss and the second amount of grain loss to be displayed on thedisplay.

In one embodiment, the grain loss indicator is an audio indicator andthe controller is further configured to cause the first amount of grainloss and the second amount of grain loss to be aurally indicated by theaudio indicator.

In another embodiment, the controller is further configured to (i)receive an input via a user interface to control the movement of theside-shake mechanism; and (ii) control the side-shake mechanism to movethe sieve in the side-to-side motion responsive to the received input.

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a portion of the display is atouch screen that includes the user interface.

According to one embodiment, the control system further includes acomparator configured to compare the first amount of grain loss to thesecond amount of grain loss to obtain a grain loss difference. Thecontroller is further configured to (i) determine whether the grain lossdifference is equal to or greater than a predetermined grain lossdifference threshold; and (ii) cause the grain loss indicator to prompta user to control the movement of the side-shake mechanism via the userinterface based on whether the grain loss difference is determined to beequal to or greater than a predetermined grain loss differencethreshold.

Embodiments are directed to a method for controlling operation of aside-shaking mechanism in a combine. The method includes enabling theside-shaking mechanism and moving the side-shaking mechanism to apredetermined zero position. The method also includes receiving inclinedata, from an incline sensor, representing the inclination of thecombine and receiving sensed data, from at least one sensor,representing at least one operating condition of a combine system. Themethod further includes, based on the incline data and the sensed data,causing the side-shaking mechanism to (i) increase the distance ofmovement of the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion; or (ii)decrease the distance of movement of the at least one sieve in theside-to-side motion.

According to one embodiment, the predetermined zero position correspondsto a position of the side-shaking mechanism substantially centeredbetween first and second side limits of the side-to-side motion, and theincline data indicates a first distance for moving the side-shakingmechanism away from the predetermined zero position on each side. Themethod further comprises receiving side-shaking mechanism bias dataindicating a second distance for moving the side-shaking mechanism awayfrom the predetermined zero position on each side. Causing theside-shaking mechanism to (i) increase the distance of movement of theat least one sieve in the side-to-side motion; or (ii) decrease thedistance of movement of the at least one sieve in the side-to-sidemotion is based on the incline data, the sensed data and theside-shaking mechanism bias data.

According to another embodiment, the method further includes disablingthe side-shaking mechanism. Causing the side-shaking mechanism to (i)stop moving at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion or (ii) startmoving the at least one sieve in a side-to-side motion is based on theside-shaking mechanism bias data if the side-shaking mechanism isdisabled and the sensed data, the incline data and the side-shakingmechanism bias data if the side-shaking mechanism is enabled.

According to an aspect of an embodiment, receiving data indicatingwhether an operational system speed has reached a predetermined speedthreshold value includes receiving a compared engine speed valueindicating whether a speed of the combine engine has reached apredetermined percentage of a high idle speed of the combine engine.

According to another aspect of an embodiment, receiving data indicatingwhether an operational system speed has reached a predetermined speedthreshold value includes receiving a compared cleaning system speedvalue indicating whether a speed of the combine cleaning system hasreached a predetermined percentage of a high idle speed of the combineengine.

According to yet another aspect of an embodiment, receiving dataindicating whether a rate of crop flow has reached a predeterminedthreshold value comprises receiving a compared crop flow valueindicating whether a rate of crop flow has reached a predeterminedpercentage of a combine system flow capacity.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be madeapparent from the following detailed description of illustrativeembodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are bestunderstood from the following detailed description when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodimentsthat are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that theinvention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed.Included in the drawings are the following

FIGURES:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary combine for usewith embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary cleaning system for usewith embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an exemplary sieve having right andleft grain loss sensors for use with embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a rear portion of an exemplary cleaningsystem illustrating right and left grain loss sensors for use withembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exemplary display illustrating a visual indication of grainloss by left and right side grain loss sensors for use with embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary side-shaking controlsystem for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forautomatically controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in acombine for use with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for manuallycontrolling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in a combine for usewith embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a system flow diagram illustrating an example of side-shakecorrection during flat ground operation in accordance with an embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Typically the side-shaking mechanism and its controlling electronics areactivated and become fully operational concurrent with enabling thecombine separator functions. As described above, the side-shakingmechanisms in conventional combines may be engaged to more evenlydistribute crop material across the width of the sieve when the combineis on inclined ground. For example, the side-shaking mechanisms may beengaged based on sensed information from an inclinometer. Unevenlydistributed crop material in the cleaning system may also be caused byfactors other than a change in inclination. For example, the rotation ofthe combine threshing rotor in one rotational direction may cause thematerial to be distributed more on one side of the cleaning system thanthe other side of the cleaning system, regardless of whether the combineis on inclined or flat ground. A greater amount of grain loss (graincarried out of the combine) may occur on the side of the cleaning systemhaving the larger amount of distributed material than the other side ofthe cleaning system having a smaller amount of distributed material.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an improved methodand system for evenly distributing crop material in the cleaning systemduring flat ground operation and inclined operation. Embodiments utilizegrain loss sensors in the cleaning system and one or more side shakingmechanisms to determine uneven distribution of crop material in thecleaning system. Aspects of embodiments determine uneven distribution ofcrop material in the cleaning system based on disproportionate grainloss between the left side and right side of the combine.

Embodiments include a controller to automatically engage and effect achange in operational level of the side shaking mechanism [linearside-to-side displacement of sieve] based on grain loss sensed by thegrain loss sensors, in addition to any correction made automatically forground inclination compensation. Embodiments include indicating grainloss conditions on opposite sides of the cleaning system that are sensedby the grain loss sensors.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 3B shows exemplary agricultural combines in whichexemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. FIG.1 shows an exemplary agricultural combine 100, which may also bereferred as a combine or harvester throughout this specification. Asshown in FIG. 1, the combine 100 may include a combine frame 116 and afeeding system 114, having a header 110 and a movable feeding mechanism112. The movable feeding mechanism may have a position which includes anangle a relative to a portion of the combine frame 116. Combine 100 mayalso include a longitudinally axially arranged threshing and separationsystem 12, and a concave 20 within the threshing and separation system12. The threshing mechanism may also be of any well-known constructionand operation. In some embodiments, the concave 20 may also be used withcombines having transversely aligned threshing and separation system ina combine.

As shown, threshing and separation system 12 is axially arranged, inthat it includes a cylindrical threshing rotor 14 conventionallysupported and rotatable in a predetermined direction about a rotationalaxis for conveying a flow of crop material in a helical flow paththrough a threshing chamber 16 extend circumferentially around the rotor14. As shown, concaves 20 may extend circumferentially around the rotor14 and the flow of crop may pass in the space between the spinning rotorand the concaves. As the crop material flows through the threshing andseparation system 12, the crop material including, for example, grain,straw, legumes, and the like, will be loosened and separated from cropresidue or MOG (material other than grain) such as, for example, husks,cobs, pods, and the like, and the separated materials may be carriedaway from the threshing and separation system 12 in a well-knownconventional manner. Crop residue can be redistributed to the field viaa spreader 120, located at the back of the harvester.

The remaining threshed crop, which includes the grain to be collected,is then cleaned via a cleaning system. The cleaning system can includeconventional winnowing mechanisms, including a fan 176 that blows airacross a series of reciprocating sieves 172. Through the winnowingaction of the air and the reciprocating sieves 172, clean grain may becollected and sorted from the remaining chaff. Crop-handling systems,which include augers and elevators, may be used to transport cleanedcrop, such as grain, to a grain tank 150 and from the grain tank 150 toa grain cart (not shown). Crop-handling systems may also transporttailings materials back to the cleaning system/threshing system throughtailings elevator 174. The clean grain may be conveyed to the grain tank150 via a cross auger that conveys grain laterally from the bottom ofthe cleaning system to a vertical conveyor (or elevator) that conveysgrain up a load tube to be spilled into grain tank 150. At the bottom ofgrain tank 150, one or more grain tank augers (such as cross augers)move grain laterally from the bottom of the grain tank 150 to verticaltube 162 of unload tube 160, representing a turret style system ofoffloading. Vertical tube 162 may include a single unload conveyingauger or multiple unload conveying augers, such as an auger forpropelling grain up and to another auger within the unload tube160.Unload tube 160 may be rotated such that it may extend its fulllength laterally for unloading grain from the grain tank 150 to asupport vehicle, such as a truck that is driving along the side of thecombine 100. Unload tube 160 may also be oriented to the rear forstorage, as shown. In a swivel style offloading system (not shown), thevertical tube 162 and unload tube 160 is replaced by an unload conveyingauger that is attached to the one or more cross augers conveying grainfrom the cleaning system and may pivot from side to side from thecombine 100, conveying grain from the combine 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary cleaning system 200 for use withembodiments of the present invention. As shown at FIG. 2, cleaningsystem 200 may include sieve 202, for separating crop material, such asgrain, from other materials (MOG). Arrows 204 represent the fore/aftmovement of sieve 202. Cleaning system 200 may also include side-shakingmechanism 206 coupled to the at least one sieve 202 and configured tomove sieve 202 in a side-to-side motion indicated by arrows 202. Arrows204 represent the fore/aft movement of sieve 202. In some embodiments,the side-to-side motion of sieve 202 may include movement in an arc orin a substantially diagonal motion. Embodiments may include any numberof sieves and any number of side-shaking mechanisms. It is alsocontemplated that a single side-shaking mechanism, such as side-shakingmechanism 206, may be coupled to multiple sieves. The geometry of thesieve 202 and side-shaking mechanism 206 shown at FIG. 2 is merelyexemplary. Other embodiments may include cleaning systems havingdifferent geometries.

As shown at FIG. 2, cleaning system 200 may also include a plurality ofgrain loss sensors, such as left side grain loss sensor 208 and rightside grain loss sensor 210 located at opposite sides of the sieve 202 tomonitor grain loss on the left side and right side of the cleaningsystem 200. The geometry and location of the left side grain loss sensor208 and right side grain loss sensor 210 shown in FIG. 2 are merelyexemplary. Other embodiments may include grain loss sensors of differentgeometries and at different locations to monitor grain loss of cleaningsystems. Embodiments may also include more than two grain loss sensors.

As described above, a greater amount of grain loss (grain carried out ofthe combine) may occur on the side of the cleaning system having thelarger amount of distributed material than the other side of thecleaning system having a smaller amount of distributed material. Forexample, then a larger amount of material is distributed on the leftside of sieve 202 than the right side sieve 202, left side grain losssensor 208 may sense a larger amount of grain loss than right side grainloss sensor 210. Accordingly, left side grain loss sensor 208 and rightside grain loss sensor 210 may be used to determine uneven distributionon one or more sieves, such as sieve 202, of a cleaning system 200.Grain loss sensors may include mechanical, electrical or opticalcomponents and may monitor changes in pressure, mass, weight, volume andother parameters.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are different views illustrating a left side grainloss sensor 208 and a right side grain loss sensor 210 to monitor grainloss on the left side and right side of cleaning system 200. FIG. 3A isa perspective view of sieve 202 and left side grain loss sensor 208 anda right side grain loss sensor 210 shown in FIG. 2. As shown at FIG. 3A,the sieve 202 extends a width W between a left edge 302 of the sieve 202and a right edge 304 of the sieve 202 and comprises a left portion 306and a right portion 308. The first grain loss sensor 208 is locatedproximate to the left edge 302 of the sieve 202 and is configured tosense the amount of grain loss from the left portion 306 of the sieve202. The second grain loss sensor 210 is located near the right edge 304of the sieve 202 and configured to sense the amount of grain loss fromthe right portion 308 of the sieve 202. FIG. 3B is a perspective view ofa rear portion cleaning system 200 illustrating left side grain losssensor 208 and a right side grain loss sensor 210.

In some embodiments, a combine operator interface system [e.g. in-cabdisplay] may include a grain loss indicator configured to indicate: (i)the first amount of grain loss from the first portion of the sieve; and(ii) the second amount of grain loss from the second portion of thesieve. In some aspects, a grain loss indicator may be a displayindicating grain loss by left side grain loss sensor 208 and grain lossby right side grain loss sensor 210. FIG. 4 is a display 400illustrating a visual indication of grain loss by left side grain losssensor 208 and grain loss by right side grain loss sensor 210. Grainloss may be measured as a rate of grain loss in real time and overpredetermined intervals. As shown in FIG. 4, the display 400 may includea portion 402 indicating grain loss by left side grain loss sensor 208and a portion 404 indicating grain loss by right side grain loss sensor210. In some embodiments, displays may indicate whether grain loss byleft side grain loss sensor 208 and right side grain loss sensor 210 hasreached or exceeded a predetermined grain loss threshold. In someembodiments, displays may indicate whether the difference between thegrain loss by left side grain loss sensor 208 and the grain loss byright side grain loss sensor 210 has reached or exceeded a predeterminedgrain loss difference threshold. The display 400 may include a portion406 indicating whether the side shaking mechanism is engaged. In someaspects, an operating level (e.g., linear side-to-side displacement ofsieve, percent of full side-to-side displacement, [ground] inclinationangle of compensation, etc.) of the side shaking mechanism 206 may bedisplayed. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 the portion 406 shows theoperating level (e.g., linear side-to-side displacement of sieve) of theside shaking mechanism 206. The level of the side shaking mechanism 206may range from no side-to-side movement to maximum side-to-sidemovement. As shown in FIG. 5, controller 502 receives input from aninclinometer which measures the angle of ground inclination. Theadjustment of the side-shake mechanism 206 is governed by pre-programmedsoftware in controller 502 which adjusts the operating level based onthe ground inclination. However, a deficiency in this closed loopadjustment is that it does not take into account the actual level oflosses from the sieve 202 and specifically any differential in grainloss that may arise across the width as measured by LH sensor 208 and RHsensor 210. In some embodiments, the level of losses processed by thecomparator 504, which may be part of controller 502 could generate anincremental adjustment to the side-shake mechanism 206 [e.g., additionalcorrection to the ground inclination algorithm] through automaticadjustment within the controller 502.

In some embodiments, combine side-shaking control systems may include auser interface 508 (shown at FIG. 5). In some embodiments, the level oflosses displayed in the user interface 508 may be used to manuallycontrol or bias the movement of the side-shake mechanism 206. Forexample, the user interface may be used to manually cause theside-shaking mechanism 206 to stop moving sieve 202 in the side-to-sidemotion, start moving sieve 202 in the side-to-side motion and move thesieve 202 at a different level of operation than dictated by the groundinclination algorithm. The user interface 508 may include an electricalswitch, button, lever, or other selectable item. In some embodiments,display 400 may be a touch screen display that includes the userinterface 508. For example, a portion 406 of display 400 shown at FIG. 4may be a touch screen display. Controller 502 (shown in FIG. 5) mayreceive an input via a user interface to control the movement of theside-shake mechanism 206 and control the side-shake mechanism 206 tomove sieve 202 in the side-to-side motion responsive to the receivedinput.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary side-shaking controlsystem 500. As shown in FIG. 5, control system 500 may include left sidegrain loss sensor 208 and a right side grain loss sensor 210 and acontroller 502 for receiving respective grain loss values from the grainloss sensors 208 and 210 and controlling the movement of theside-shaking mechanism 206 based on at least one of the receivedrespective grain loss values. Controlling the movement of theside-shaking mechanism 206 may include causing the side-shakingmechanism 206 to: (i) decrease the distance of the movement of the sieve202 in the side-to-side motion; or (ii) increase the distance of themovement of the sieve 202 in the side-to-side motion.

As shown at FIG. 5, control system 500 may also include a comparator 504configured to compare sensed data received from left side grain losssensor 208 and first grain loss sensor 210. In some embodiments,controller 502 may include the comparator 504. In other embodiments,comparator 504 may be separate from controller 502 and provide comparedvalues to controller 502.

In some embodiments, comparator 504 may be configured to compare sensedgrain loss values from the left side grain loss sensor 208 to sensedgrain loss values from the right side grain loss sensor 210 to obtain acompared grain loss value. Controller 502 may then determine whether thecompared grain loss value is equal to or greater than a predeterminedgrain loss difference threshold. The incremental adjustment to theside-shake mechanism 206 [e.g., additional correction to the groundinclination algorithm] may be controlled based on whether the comparedgrain loss value is equal to or greater than a predetermined grain lossdifference threshold. For example, controller 502 may cause the sideshaking mechanism 206 to increase the distance of the sieve 202 in theside-to-side motion when the compared grain loss value is equal to orgreater than the predetermined grain loss difference threshold.Controller 502 may also cause the side-shaking mechanism 206 to decreasethe distance (including reducing to a zero distance) of the sieve 202 inthe side-to-side motion when the compared grain loss value is less thanthe predetermined grain loss difference threshold.

In some embodiments, comparator 504 may be configured to compare sensedgrain loss values from at least one of the left side grain loss sensor208 and the right side grain loss sensor 210 to predetermined grain lossthreshold values to produce respective compared grain loss values.Controller 502 may then receive the compared data from comparator 504and cause side-shaking mechanism 206 to increase the distance (includingincreasing from zero distance) of the at least one sieve 202 in theside-to-side motion based on at least one of the respective comparedgrain loss values. For example, controller 502 may cause side-shakingmechanism 206 to increase the distance of the at least one sieve 202 ifthe compared grain loss value is equal to or greater than thepredetermined grain loss values. Controller 502 may also causeside-shaking mechanism 206 to decrease the distance of the sieve in theside-to-side motion if the compared grain loss value is less than thepredetermined grain loss threshold value. For example, controller 502may receive a compared grain loss value indicating the grain loss valuefrom left side grain loss sensor 208 is equal or greater than athreshold grain loss value indicating that material isdisproportionately distributed higher on left portion 306 of sieve 202.Controller 502 may then cause the side-shaking mechanism 206 to startmoving at least one sieve 202 in a side-to-side motion at a differentdistance of the sieve in the side-to-side motion to more evenlydistribute the material across the width W of sieve 202.

As shown at FIG. 5, control system 500 may also include a grain lossindicator 510 configured to indicate: (i) the first amount of grain lossfrom the first portion 306 of the sieve 202; and (ii) the second amountof grain loss from the second portion 308 of the sieve 202. In someembodiments, grain loss indicator 510 may be a display, such as display400 shown at FIG. 4. In some embodiments, grain loss indicator 510 maybe an audio indicator configured to aurally indicate: (i) the firstamount of grain loss from the first portion 306 of the sieve 202; and(ii) the second amount of grain loss from the second portion 308 of thesieve 202. In some aspects, the grain loss indicator 510 (either viadisplay 400 or audio indicator 512) may indicate whether the differencein grain loss between the left portion 306 and right portion 308 of thesieve 202 is equal to or greater than a predetermined grain lossdifference threshold, prompting the operator to manually cause the sideshaking mechanism 206 to move sieve 202 in the side-to-side motion viauser interface 508. In some aspects, the grain loss indicator 510(either via display 400 or audio indicator 512) may indicate whether thedifference in grain loss between the left portion 306 and right portion308 of the sieve 202 is less than a predetermined grain loss differencethreshold, prompting the operator to manually cause the side shakingmechanism 206 to stop moving sieve 202 in the side-to-side motion viauser interface 508.

In yet other aspects, controller 502 may cause the grain loss indicator510 (either via display 400 or audio indicator 512) to prompt theoperator to control the movement of the side-shake mechanism 206 via theuser interface 508 based on whether the grain loss difference isdetermined to be equal to or greater than a predetermined grain lossdifference threshold.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forautomatically controlling operation of a side-shaking mechanism in acombine. As shown at 602 and 604, harvesting may begin and theside-shaking mechanism may be engaged. In some embodiments, engagementof the side-shaking mechanism may include a state where the side-shakemechanism is enabled but the sieve 202 is not caused to move in theside-to-side motion as a result of a ground inclination reading of zero.In other embodiments, engagement of the side-shaking mechanism mayinclude causing the sieve to move in the side-to-side motion as a resultof a ground inclination reading a value other than zero.

As described above, on inclined ground, the side-shaking mechanism mayintroduce a side-to-side component in the shake geometry of a sieve,causing material to resist its natural tendency to migrate to the lowerside of the sieve and remain more evenly distributed across the width ofthe sieve. For example, as shown at 606, an inclinometer may be used tosignal a change in inclination. Other types of sensors may also be usedto determine changes in inclination. Responsive to a change ininclination, the side shake may be engaged with the combine separator at604. In some embodiments, the side-shaking correction may includecontrolling a side-shaking mechanism 206 (e.g., side-shaking mechanism206) to cause a sieve (e.g., sieve 202) to move from a zero distance ofthe sieve in the side-to-side motion to any one of a plurality ofdistances. In other embodiments, the side-shaking correction may includecausing the sieve to move from one side-to-side motion distance toanother side-to-side motion distance (e.g. reduce or increaseside-to-side motion distance).

Unevenly distributed crop material in the cleaning system may also becaused by factors during flat ground operation (e.g., no change ininclination). For example, the rotation of the combine threshing rotorin one rotational direction may cause the material to be distributedmore on one side of the cleaning system than the other side of thecleaning system during flat ground operation. A greater amount of grainloss (grain carried out of the combine) may occur on the side of thecleaning system having the larger amount of distributed material thanthe other side of the cleaning system having a smaller amount ofdistributed material. Accordingly, as shown in block 610 of FIG. 6, themethod may include automatically causing a side-shaking correction 608to more evenly distribute the material in the cleaning system (e.g.across the width W of sieve 202).

At block 612, the left hand side and right hand side loss may bemeasured (e.g. sensed by sensors 208 and 210). As shown at 614, in someembodiments the left hand side and right hand side loss may be indicated(e.g., by a grain loss indicator 510 shown at FIG. 5). In some aspects,the left hand side loss and right hand side loss may be displayed (e.g.,by display 400 shown at FIG. 4). At decision point 616, it may beautomatically determined whether the left hand side loss and right handside loss are equal or within a threshold range. For example, comparator504 may be configured to compare sensed grain loss values from the leftside grain loss sensor 208 to sensed grain loss values from the rightside grain loss sensor 210 to obtain a compared grain loss value.Controller 502 may then automatically determine whether the comparedgrain loss value is equal to or greater than a predetermined grain lossdifference threshold. If the left hand side loss and right hand sideloss are determined to be equal or the difference between the losses areequal to or less than a predetermined threshold range, no side-shakecorrection may be made. The method proceeds back to 612 and 616 toautomatically determine whether the left hand side loss and right handside loss are equal or within a threshold range. If the differencebetween the losses is determined to be greater than a predeterminedthreshold range, however, an automatic side-shake correction 608 may bemade to more evenly distribute the material in the cleaning system. Themethod may again proceed back to 612 and 616 to automatically determinewhether the left hand side loss and right hand side loss are equal orwithin a threshold range.

In some embodiments, a side-shaking mechanism may be manually controlledduring flat ground operation. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating anexemplary method for manually controlling operation of a side-shakingmechanism in a combine. As shown at 702 and 704, harvesting may beginand the side-shaking mechanism may be engaged. As described above withreference to FIG. 6, the engagement of the side-shaking mechanism duringmanual operation may also include a state where the side-shake mechanismis enabled but the sieve 202 is not caused to move in the side-to-sidemotion. In other embodiments, engagement of a side shaking mechanism mayinclude causing the sieve to move in the side-to-side motion at any oneof a plurality of distances.

During flat ground operation, as shown at block 718, the side-shakecorrection may be manually input by an operator based on grain loss inthe cleaning system. At block 706 and 708, the left hand side and righthand side loss may be measured (e.g., by sensors 208 and 210) and thelosses may be indicated (e.g., by a grain loss indicator 510 shown atFIG. 5).

In some aspects, the left hand side loss and right hand side loss may bedisplayed (e.g., by display 400 shown at FIG. 4). Other indications,such as an audio indication, may also be used.

As shown at 710, the left hand side and right hand side loss may also bemanually measured. For example, an operator may stop harvesting, andvisually observe the left hand side and right hand side loss in thecleaning system.

At decision point 712, the operator may manually determine whether adifference between the left hand side loss and the right hand side lossis acceptable. If the operator manually determines that the differencein losses is acceptable, the method may proceed back to 612 and 616 tomeasure the left hand side loss and the right hand side loss at 706 or708. If the operator manually determines that the difference in lossesis not acceptable, a side-shake correction 716 may be manually input tomore evenly distribute the material in the cleaning system. The methodmay then proceed back to 612 and 616 to measure the left hand side lossand the right hand side loss at 706 or 708.

FIG. 8 is a system flow diagram illustrating an example of side-shakecorrection during flat ground operation. For example, as shown at 802,the first amount of grain loss and the second amount of grain loss maybe indicated on a display (e.g., display 400 shown at FIG. 4). Whenmaterial is being unevenly distributed more on the right side 308 ofsieve 202 than on the left side 306 of sieve 202, display 400 may show ahigher amount of right side grain loss at portion 402 than left sidegain loss at portion 404, as shown in display 400 in FIG. 8.

A correction factor may be introduced based on a difference between theright side grain loss at portion 402 and the left side gain loss atportion 404, as shown at 804. In some embodiments, a controller (e.g.,controller 502) may automatically make a side-shake correction. In otherembodiments, a side-shake correction may be manually input by anoperator. For example, when the operator sees that display 400 shows ahigher amount of right side grain loss at portion 402 than left sidegain loss at portion 404, the operator may engage the side-shakingmechanism 206 (or increase the speed of the side-shaking mechanism) viathe user interface 508, causing the sieve 202 to move in theside-to-side motion. In some embodiments, in addition to displaying thefirst amount of grain loss and the second amount of grain loss, theoperator may also be prompted to engage the side-shaking mechanism 206when the grain loss difference is determined to be equal to or greaterthan a predetermined grain loss difference threshold. Accordingly, afterthe prompt, the operator may engage the side-shaking mechanism 206 (orincrease the level of the side-shaking mechanism) via the user interface508.

As shown at 806, a side-shaking mechanism (e.g., side-shaking mechanism206) may include causing the sieve 202 to increase or decrease movementin the side-to-side motion, indicated by arrow 808, causing the grain tobe distributed more evenly on the right side 308 of sieve 202 and on theleft side 306 of sieve 202.

When grain is again being distributed more evenly, display 400 may showthe same (or substantially the same) right side grain loss at portion402 as the left side gain loss at portion 404, as shown at 810. In someembodiments, the operator may manually input a correction to theside-shake via the user interface 508 if the displayed differencebetween the right side grain loss and left side gain loss is acceptable.

Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to thepreferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of theinvention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims beconstrued to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling operation of aside-shaking mechanism in a combine, the method comprising: enabling theside-shaking mechanism; moving the side-shaking mechanism to apredetermined zero position; receiving incline data, from an inclinesensor, representing the inclination of the combine; receiving senseddata, from at least one sensor, representing at least one operatingcondition of a combine system; and based on the incline data and thesensed data, causing the side-shaking mechanism to (i) increase thedistance of movement of the at least one sieve in the side-to-sidemotion; or (ii) decrease the distance of movement of the at least onesieve in the side-to-side motion.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thepredetermined zero position corresponds to a position of theside-shaking mechanism substantially centered between first and secondside limits of the side-to-side motion, and the incline data indicates afirst distance for moving the side-shaking mechanism away from thepredetermined zero position on each side, the method further comprisesreceiving side-shaking mechanism bias data indicating a second distancefor moving the side-shaking mechanism away from the predetermined zeroposition on each side; and the step of causing the side-shakingmechanism to (i) increase the distance of movement of the at least onesieve in the side-to-side motion; or (ii) decrease the distance ofmovement of the at least one sieve in the side-to-side motion is basedon the incline data, the sensed data and the side-shaking mechanism biasdata.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: disabling theside-shaking mechanism; and the step of causing the side-shakingmechanism to (i) stop moving at least one sieve in the side-to-sidemotion or (ii) start moving the at least one sieve in a side-to-sidemotion is based on: the side-shaking mechanism bias data if theside-shaking mechanism is disabled; and the sensed data, the inclinedata and the side-shaking mechanism bias data if the side-shakingmechanism is enabled.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofreceiving data indicating whether an operational system speed hasreached a predetermined speed threshold value comprises receiving acompared engine speed value indicating whether a speed of the combineengine has reached a predetermined percentage of a high idle speed ofthe combine engine.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofreceiving data indicating whether an operational system speed hasreached a predetermined speed threshold value comprises receiving acompared cleaning system speed value indicating whether a speed of thecombine cleaning system has reached a predetermined percentage of a highidle speed of the combine engine.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thestep of receiving data indicating whether a rate of crop flow hasreached a predetermined threshold value comprises receiving a comparedcrop flow value indicating whether a rate of crop flow has reached apredetermined percentage of a combine system flow capacity.